6 Best Nightlife in Lakeview and the Far North Side, Chicago

Next door to the rowdy Diag Bar & Grill you'll find the serene 404 Wine Bar, a romantic spot filled with cozy nooks. The librarylike back room has ornate chandeliers, shelves lined with books, and dramatic oxblood walls. Grab a spot on the patio or near one of two fireplaces and enjoy a glass, flight, or bottle of wine accompanied by a cheese plate.

A departure from the typical Wrigleyville sports bar, this modern public house draws Anglophiles thirsty for a well-poured pint and contemporary takes on classic English pub fare, such as shepherd's pie with stout-braised lamb and fish-and-chips with malt vinegar aioli. (The bar's name is British slang for "guys and girls.") Friday and Saturday nights, sing your heart out in its karaoke lounge.

The biggest dance club in Boystown is a stripped-down hall energized by flashing lights, booming sounds, and a partying crowd. Take a break in the up-front martini bar.

Elbo Room, a multilevel space in an elbow-shape corner building, has a basement rec-room feel. Talented live bands add a strong dose of nu-jazz, funk, soul, pop, and rock seven days a week.

Catering to a lesbian clientele, this wine bar has expanded its focus to include craft beer and cocktails. The space itself is cozy, but good design (and sidewalk tables in summer) keeps it from feeling claustrophobic. Sit at the long wooden bar or opposing banquette and enjoy the room's real focal point, a glass-brick wall lighted up in multiple colors.

Located in the Irving Park neighborhood, about 15 minutes northwest of downtown, this place showcases rock, as well as some Irish, Celtic, and country music, in a large concert hall with a separate, busy pub. By day the hall is used to show soccer and rugby games from the United Kingdom and Ireland.